Jakarta : A massive fire ripped through one of Jakarta's oldest markets on Thursday, incinerating more than 500 kiosks, according to authorities.

Shop owners could be seen fleeing from the smoking buildings of Senden market carrying piles of merchandise as fire trucks attempted to douse the flames, which razed much of two blocks of the shopping area, Efe news reported.

Though the cause of the fire is still not known, police say an investigation will soon be underway.

"After the fire is extinguished, we will conduct a crime scene investigation involving the National Police's forensic division," said Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Dwiyono.

No casualties have been reported so far.-Agency